Piper PA-20 accident near Kenai, Alaska, September 5, 1982
On September 5, 1982 at about 12:47 pm local time, a Piper PA-20, registered N6957K, was destroyed in an accident near Kenai, Alaska. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 5, 1982 · about 12:47 pm local time
- Place
- Kenai, Alaska
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-20 · all PA-20s on the register
- Registration
- N6957K · no longer on the register
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
AT 0837 THE PLT CALLED KENAI TOWER & REPORTED 8 MI WEST INBOUND FOR LANDING. AT 0845 HE REPORTED THAT HE WOULD BE LANDING ON THE BEACH. AT 0847 HE REPORTED THAT HE WOULD NOT MAKE THE BEACH & WOULD BE GOING INTO THE WATER. THE ACFT & OCCUPANTS WERE NOT RECOVERED. THE PLT'S FLIGHT PLAN WAS FOR 2+30, & HIS REPORTED FUEL ABOARD WAS 3+00. THE ACTUAL FLT TIME WAS 2+22. DURING HIS WX BRIEFING THE PLT WAS ADVISED THAT LAKE CLARK PASS WAS FORECAST TO BE MARGINAL TO CLOSED. HE WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED DUE TO FORECAST CEILINGS BELOW 1,000 FT & VISIBILITIES BELOW 3 MI FOR THE BRISTOL BAY AREA. ACFT DAMAGE & INJURY INDEX PRESUMED.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-290 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Iliamna AK at 6:25 am
- Destination: Thompson Field
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 080° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 8,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 127°F (53°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.